Engines Move Inside Wheels

With the electronicization of cars, the shape of future vehicles will differ significantly from today's cars. One of these changes pertains to the placement of the car's engine, as placing electric motors inside the wheels creates a lot of space inside the vehicle and alters the design of cars. In gasoline or diesel vehicles, a large section at the front or rear is allocated for the engine and power transmission system. However, if the engines are placed inside the wheels, there is no need for a large power transmission system. This method will likely lead to diverse sizes and shapes in car designs in the future. A European company named Elaphe has unveiled electric motors that can be fitted inside wheels, which could be one of the innovative designs that will transform the automotive world. Sergio Kozumaki, the head of Toyota's research center, has stated that internal combustion engines will become extinct by 2050. Internal combustion engines, even with their use in hybrid engines, will ultimately last until 2050. Fuel cell vehicles or electric vehicles will shape the future of cars, as both types ultimately require an electric motor. In fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen is mixed with oxygen from the air, resulting in water and electricity. The electricity is used by the electric motor to move the vehicle. In electric vehicles, electrical energy is stored in batteries. In Elaphe's design, four electric motors can be fitted into the four wheels of the car, and a computer can transfer different forces to each wheel under various road conditions. This factor increases the responsiveness to road needs and minimizes energy waste. Due to the rapid torque control at each wheel, the car's steering power or handling can also be significantly enhanced. When necessary, the car can easily be switched to front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. This company has created a new model of these motors called M700. However, there is a downside to this design, which is the increased weight of each wheel, as each electric motor weighs about 23 kilograms. The positive aspect is that by transferring the motor to the wheels, the necessary space for more batteries inside the car is created, thus increasing the vehicle's range. Each electric motor can produce about 110 horsepower, meaning if four electric motors are placed in this vehicle, a total power of 440 horsepower is accessible. With the development of artificial intelligence and self-driving cars, this technology can find more applications, as the car will know how much force to apply to each wheel under different road conditions to achieve maximum stability and minimal energy consumption. It is worth mentioning that other companies, including Bosch from Germany, are also working on similar designs.